The Search for Oriental Food

For weeks I’ve been craving Oriental food. For weeks I’ve been fighting that craving. It has been really difficult considering every time I turn on the television someone is eating Thai food or one of the chef’s on Food Network is preparing some form of Oriental Food. Therefore, last night I gave in to the craving, scrounged around until I found enough money and drove the two blocks to Ming Wah. After perusing the menu, I finally decided on the Mongolian Beef because it had that little pepper beside it indicating that it was hot and spicy and I love hot and spicy. A short wait later my to go box arrived and with much anticipation for what was to come, I headed home. The aroma was driving me nuts as I drove those short blocks to my house. Upon arrival I pulled out a plate then opened the box. First thing that struck me was the color; never in my life had I seen red food coloring in Mongolian Beef. Overlooking the odd shade of red I scooped the pork-fried rice on the plate followed by the beef mixture sans the bell peppers, then after wiping all the gravy off the egg, roll slathered it in hot mustard sauce. By now my mouth was watering and with what was left in the to go box I was assured two more meals which excited me even more. What a disappointment!! Not only was the beef not spicy but I’m not even sure it was beef and despite the wonderful aroma the taste was nothing I had ever experienced before. Really, I tried to eat it but in the end the beef went in the garbage. The egg roll, however, was delicious as was the rice but after weeks of craving this taste the entire experience was a disaster.
Not to be denied and to satiate the craving that remained, today I hit another restaurant in search of Oriental food. The first noticeable difference was the friendliness of the young person behind the counter. Instead of clipped answers and bored looks, the cashier at China Gardens was engaging, helpful and carried on a conversation while I waited. A few minutes later the to go box arrived and once again I left full of anticipation. Upon opening the container it immediately struck me that this beef not only looked like beef but there were many varied vegetables as well. In the Ming Wah box there were carrots, a few bean sprouts, onions, lots of onions, plus some other unrecognizable vegetable like substances. In the China Gardens box there was broccoli, baby corn, carrots, cucumber, celery, mushrooms and onions. Although not as spicy as I had hoped for, not too many places make food as hot as I like it, that was easily remedied. China Gardens even packaged the rice in a separate container as well as the egg rolls thereby keeping the sauce on the entrée where it should be. One other perk of sorts at China Garden, a local author, Hawk MacKinney, was dining there.
Thanksgiving being just around the corner, my plans are in the process of being made for dinner. Worked on the menu yesterday, do not do the turkey thing and as luck would have it Reid’s was having a sale on Boston butts so I made my way to their store to take a look. Having never been before I really did not know what to expect, however, noticing their ads in the Star my interest was peaked and had been planning to go anyway. What a pleasant surprise. Large, clean store; huge variety, good prices and the best part, friendly people. Well worth the extra few miles to shop.
Lastly, crime has once again visited my neighborhood. Last night (10/12), some person who didn’t have a bicycle or the money to buy cigarettes decided to help himself to both from one of my neighbors. One of the few times this neighbor has failed to lock the car but one time is all it takes. This thief rummaged thru the car, stole cigs and the bike and was on his merry way. A few weeks prior to this someone also relieved this same neighbor of a beautiful antique weathervane. Hard to believe it could be the same thief but one never knows.